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South West Regional Conference

On Saturday 29th February 2020, the Co-operative Party’s South West regional conference will take place in Bristol.

There will be a particular focus on some of the big challenges our economy and communities face across the region, a spotlight on Co-operative Party’s policy platform for 2020, as well as showcasing co-operative solutions that can be expanded and supported to build the fairer future we so desperately need.

Programme:

10.00 registration opens

10.30 Welcome and introductionby Sue Milestone, Co-op Party NEC South West representative

10.45 Policy Debate 1: Corporate Governance: panel Q&A on ensuring businesses work for the common good and how good governance is critical to creating a fairer economy. As co-operators we want to see an economy that is characterised by fairness and this means all businesses playing their part. Speakers include:

Fran Boait, Positive Money

James Butler, the Co-operative Party

11.45 Be a Co-operative Councillor: how to be nominated as a candidate, manifesto ideas and support (in association with Community the Union) with speakers:

Cllr Doina Cornell, Leader Stroud District Council

Kate Dearden, Community The Union

Fran Boait, PPC for Gloucester in 2019 General Election

Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Co-op Party Local Government Officer

12.30 Lunch (sandwiches are included in your registration fee)

13:15 Co-operative Party campaigning: launching the Party’s 2020 campaigns on community safety and listing community assets

Cllr Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor of Bristol with responsibility for Communities, Equalities and Public Health

James Butler, Co-op Party Campaigns Officer

14:15 Community Business & Co-operative Growth: Q&A with representatives from successful local independent co-ops and co-operative development agencies. Speakers include:

Jo White, Co-operative Futures

Brian Titley, Co-operative Assistance Network Ltd

14:45 Policy Debate 2: Connecting Communities from buses to broadband: panel Q&A to discuss how across the country, co-operative, social enterprise and other forms of not-for-profit bus operators are proving that it’s possible to run transport services that are affordable and responsive to the needs of local people. Plus co-operative solutions to tackle digital exclusion – with examples of community broadband and the rural communities that now enjoy access they would otherwise have been denied. Speakers include:

Travel

The nearest mainline train station is Bristol Temple Meads Train Station. From there, you can travel by bus number 8 – which runs every 10 minutes from the station – and travels through via the Centre, Park Street and Clifton Triangle and stops directly outside of Engineers’ House. The bus fare is £2 per journey.

There are a number of onsite car parking spaces available. These are firstly reserved for disabled attendees. There are a large number of spaces available on the adjacent roads. No parking permits are required on weekends.

Registration

£10 (£5 concessions), which includes a sandwich lunch.

This event is open to non-members, so please share with friends, Labour Party and trade union colleagues. You must register in advance to secure a place.